There were various names given to the Moon by different cultures in history. But for most of human history it was the only moon we knew about. The ancient Greeks knew that there were other planets, but they didn’t know that any of them had any moons. It wasn’t until Galileo used his telescope to see them around Jupiter that we knew that there were other moons.
BTW, usually in writing when you are referring to Earth’s natural satellite it is written as the Moon with a capital M.
The known moons of mars are Phobos and Deimos. But the first men to land on Mars found another small mall moon in a lower orbit. They named it Bottomos. (Not original, but I can’t remember the source.)
According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the Moon was named as such because it was the first moon humans knew about. It didn’t need a fancy name because it’s the one moon we’ve known about for most of human history. It’s not just a moon, it’s the Moon. When you say “the Moon,” everyone knows which moon you’re talking about. All the other moons in the solar system need a special name because otherwise people wouldn’t know which one you’re talking about.
Also to Arlo’s point, my cat of 17 years was just “the cat.” He’s the only cat I had for 17 years, so everyone knew who I was talking about when I referenced “the cat” or “my cat.”
A different view point. Only one moon deserves the title of The Moon. All others are pale in comparison and have to have other names so they’re remembered.
It’s not “the moon.” It’s “THE moon.” In modern times it would a have registered mark with it and could not be referred to in print without being capitalized, lest you hear from the copyright infringement lawyers.
I plan on checking off a bucket list item next week. The eclipse totality is only 2-3 hours away from me. Planning on a day trip, hoping it won’t cloud up or rain.
“Moon” comes via the Germanic languages. “Lune” comes from Latin via French. Chinese: yuèliang. Japanese: tsuki. Hindi: chandrama. Arabic: qamar. Swahili: Mwezi. Nahuatl: Metztli. Quechua: Quilla. And of course the list goes on.
Speaking of the moon – I have always wanted to see an eclipse. We saw one 11 years ago – but not much of one. This one was suppose to be bigger deal as where we are it was something like 91%. Husband has no interest in same, but he will do anything I say I want to do as I so rarely want to do anything (or ask for a gift) that he gets overjoyed when I want something.
I thought I had our glasses from the 2017 eclipse – but when I checked the folder there was only one pair, so we got a second pair (free) from the same library as last time. We discussed where to go and see it. (Locally, as not able to travel upstate where it would 100%.) The day before we went to the Post office – we park in the parking lot of a small park, mostly a pool which is closed of course, and realized it was an excellent place to go.
So we went there. Now, I understood it would not be dark as night, but I sort figured it would be around 90% of the way to dark as it was a 91% eclipse here. In addition it was cloudy. So disappointing. It did not get at all dark. We were able to see it most of the time – wearing the glasses of course,, but it was a major let down for me.
epicatt2- 7 months ago
They must’ve forgotten ‘Luna’.
C 7 months ago
Theia’s daughter
Da'Dad 7 months ago
JJ does like giving Arlo erudite monologues but he also fashioned for him a spouse who knows it’s all part of the package.
cracker65 7 months ago
Overthinking
David Wright Premium Member 7 months ago
The Incas called the moon goddess Coyolxāuhqui. Does that help?
pearlsbs 7 months ago
There were various names given to the Moon by different cultures in history. But for most of human history it was the only moon we knew about. The ancient Greeks knew that there were other planets, but they didn’t know that any of them had any moons. It wasn’t until Galileo used his telescope to see them around Jupiter that we knew that there were other moons.
BTW, usually in writing when you are referring to Earth’s natural satellite it is written as the Moon with a capital M.
Rhetorical_Question 7 months ago
Tu’er Ye, moon rabbit
AnneFackler 7 months ago
We could call the “Moon River”.
from the movie Breakfast at Tiffanys.
Sephten 7 months ago
But all those other moons are named after THE Moon!
nosirrom 7 months ago
Arlo appreciates a nice moon.
Lawrence Israel Premium Member 7 months ago
The known moons of mars are Phobos and Deimos. But the first men to land on Mars found another small mall moon in a lower orbit. They named it Bottomos. (Not original, but I can’t remember the source.)
Jason Allen 7 months ago
According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the Moon was named as such because it was the first moon humans knew about. It didn’t need a fancy name because it’s the one moon we’ve known about for most of human history. It’s not just a moon, it’s the Moon. When you say “the Moon,” everyone knows which moon you’re talking about. All the other moons in the solar system need a special name because otherwise people wouldn’t know which one you’re talking about.
Also to Arlo’s point, my cat of 17 years was just “the cat.” He’s the only cat I had for 17 years, so everyone knew who I was talking about when I referenced “the cat” or “my cat.”
Carl Premium Member 7 months ago
You didn’t like John Wayne growling out “dog” in Big Jake?
The Orange Mailman 7 months ago
Very educational comments. Thank you.
ddjg 7 months ago
i sometimes call her Diana . .
Skeptical Meg 7 months ago
The Pearls Before Swine cast would think that’s Just Fine.
Skeptical Meg 7 months ago
An old friend of mine had a dog named “Kitty Cat”.
Kidon Ha-Shomer 7 months ago
Our moon is loaded with arachnids…you have heard of Luna-ticks, have you not???
Dogtreat Premium Member 7 months ago
Right?
Dogtreat Premium Member 7 months ago
Has everyone forgotten that Earth humans coined the name Moon?
Rick Horne Premium Member 7 months ago
When my oldest sister was little, she had a cat named Dog
Allen Howell Premium Member 7 months ago
Or ‘Selene’
Gameguy49 Premium Member 7 months ago
Arlo, just be happy that it is up there to “moon you” every night.
fredd13 7 months ago
Back to front. We named the Moon first, then called all the others “moons” because of that.
Pohka 7 months ago
A different view point. Only one moon deserves the title of The Moon. All others are pale in comparison and have to have other names so they’re remembered.
djtenltd 7 months ago
Jesus, Arlo! Is that all you have to think about?? I think you need a hobby, dude!
[Traveler] Premium Member 7 months ago
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore
Going Nuts 7 months ago
I bet if we had two moons, they’d have names.
uniquename 7 months ago
Our beloved moon needs no introduction.
Hydrohead 7 months ago
For some reason, many people either never know or forget that the moon (Luna) and the sun (Sol) have actual official names.
Grace Premium Member 7 months ago
Luna
dtdbiz 7 months ago
It’s not “the moon.” It’s “THE moon.” In modern times it would a have registered mark with it and could not be referred to in print without being capitalized, lest you hear from the copyright infringement lawyers.
gigagrouch 7 months ago
No, just “Dog”
tomfromthe50s 7 months ago
How about “Daphne”? “Daphne Moon” has a nice, familiar sound to it!
raybarb44 7 months ago
Wrong time to bring that up. Almost seven billion people all with different ideas as to the name. Leave well enough alone…..
assrdood 7 months ago
I plan on checking off a bucket list item next week. The eclipse totality is only 2-3 hours away from me. Planning on a day trip, hoping it won’t cloud up or rain.
paranormal 7 months ago
I think the moons name is Luna but no one uses it.
poppacapsmokeblower 7 months ago
“Everyone should have a name fitting their character,” said Sir Philosoph.
Plumb.Bob Premium Member 7 months ago
We should at least capitalize The.
Out of the Past 7 months ago
We had a parrot for many years. He had a name but it was forgotten because everyone just called him the bird, including himself.
KEA 7 months ago
When there was only one who needed more?
SGIBeachbum 7 months ago
It is kind of like “The Band”.
wkohlman Premium Member 7 months ago
There is an animated cartoon where the family dog was named Diogee Pronounced D-O-G .
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace 7 months ago
That is pure lunacy.
Does Selene know??
LONNYMARQUEZ 7 months ago
Columbo’s dog was “dog” and now I know I am not the only one with too much time on my hands
eladee AKA Wally 7 months ago
Is our moon’s proper name not “Luna”?
ms-ss 7 months ago
I know a dog named dog! He’s some kind of terrier.
cuteswan Premium Member 7 months ago
Her friends call her Cynthia.
rugeirn 7 months ago
“Moon” comes via the Germanic languages. “Lune” comes from Latin via French. Chinese: yuèliang. Japanese: tsuki. Hindi: chandrama. Arabic: qamar. Swahili: Mwezi. Nahuatl: Metztli. Quechua: Quilla. And of course the list goes on.
crazeekatlady 7 months ago
Friend had a St Bernard named Kitty.
Scott S 7 months ago
“To the moon, Alice!” – Ralph Cramden
pearlsbs 7 months ago
Scientists have discovered that Venus has a moon.
tin yurl. cOm /mrxk5uby
Remove the spaces
Albert Sims Premium Member 7 months ago
The dog on “Petticoat Junction” was named “Dog”.
shapmandoo 7 months ago
I named my cat Dog.
christelisbetty 7 months ago
The Moon Of Earth= MOE
Boise Ed Premium Member 7 months ago
Sheer lunacy
Tom_Tildrum 7 months ago
At least he didn’t say “the wife.”
Aladar30 Premium Member 7 months ago
You can also call her Diana or Artemide.
BW42 7 months ago
Maybe some day we will know what makes Lunatic…
Mary McNeil Premium Member 7 months ago
Or “the family cat Kitty”
markkahler52 7 months ago
Just remember that the Sun is eclipsed by the moon!
RickHartung1947 7 months ago
I knew a family who named their dog Deeogee (D O G).
mafastore 7 months ago
Speaking of the moon – I have always wanted to see an eclipse. We saw one 11 years ago – but not much of one. This one was suppose to be bigger deal as where we are it was something like 91%. Husband has no interest in same, but he will do anything I say I want to do as I so rarely want to do anything (or ask for a gift) that he gets overjoyed when I want something.
I thought I had our glasses from the 2017 eclipse – but when I checked the folder there was only one pair, so we got a second pair (free) from the same library as last time. We discussed where to go and see it. (Locally, as not able to travel upstate where it would 100%.) The day before we went to the Post office – we park in the parking lot of a small park, mostly a pool which is closed of course, and realized it was an excellent place to go.
So we went there. Now, I understood it would not be dark as night, but I sort figured it would be around 90% of the way to dark as it was a 91% eclipse here. In addition it was cloudy. So disappointing. It did not get at all dark. We were able to see it most of the time – wearing the glasses of course,, but it was a major let down for me.